NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Tramadol, and Cannabis Shipments in Lagos
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recently intercepted consignments of cocaine, tramadol, and cannabis concealed in unusual packaging at several courier companies in Lagos. These drugs were destined for delivery to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Cyprus.
According to Femi Babafemi, the agency’s spokesperson, on September 3, NDLEA operatives recovered at least 30 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.1 kilograms hidden in hair cream containers. The shipment, which was headed to Ireland, was intercepted during a routine cargo examination. Three days later, another consignment of 24 parcels of cocaine (862 grams) concealed in similar containers was seized, this time en route to the UK.
The agency also intercepted a shipment of 525 tramadol 225mg pills and ecstasy (MDMA), which were hidden in sanitary pads. The drugs were destined for Cyprus. A separate shipment, also on September 4, contained 200 ampoules of promethazine and pentazocine injections concealed in food items and herbs, heading to the UK.
On September 6, NDLEA operatives found another consignment of tramadol hidden inside granulated melon. This shipment originated from Cameroon and was bound for South Africa.
At the Port Harcourt International Airport, the NDLEA, in collaboration with the Nigerian Customs Service, intercepted 550,000 tramadol pills on September 2. The drugs arrived from Delhi, India. A suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.
In Ekiti state, NDLEA agents, supported by the Nigerian Army, destroyed over 100,000 kilograms of cannabis in the Ise-Ekiti forest reserve on September 3. The drugs, spread across 51 hectares of farmland, were seized, and several suspects were arrested.
The agency’s efforts continued in Kaduna state on September 6, where four individuals, including Bala Musa (42), Danladi Muhammad (44), and Aminu Ayuba (24), were arrested with large quantities of cannabis. Additionally, Umar Usman (40) and Zubairu Kabiru (45) were caught with 1,300 tablets of tramadol.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi emphasized the agency’s continued efforts to fight drug trafficking and illicit drug production across Nigeria, highlighting successful collaborations with other law enforcement agencies to tackle the issue.
